Hydraulic rotor



May 22, 1928.

' w. M. WHITE HYDRAULIC ROTOR FledvJune 5, 192.6`

Patented May 22, i928..

WILLIAM M. W'HITE, OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN.

HYDRAULIC ROTOR.

yApplication tiled .Tune 5,-.-

,This invention relates in general to improvements in 'the art of hydraulics, and relates more specifically to improvements in the-construction andfoperation of rotors for Ahydraulic machines or the like.

Anobject of the invention is to provide a new and fuseful -rotor which is simple in construction and eflicient inroperation. Anfother'objectV of the invention is to provide an improved-rotor structure especially applicable to hydraulic turbines having yhigh spe- V-ciiic speed. A further obiect of the invention -fis Ato provide an improved method of manufacturing compound turbine or pump rotors. rThese'and other objects and advantages will be apparent from the following description.

In Ithe construction yof high speed turbines of the axial flow type, the rotor usually comprises a seri-es of radiating vanes associated with a Arelatively large central hub. The use of such a large hub is desirable in order to dispose thevanes at some distance from the rotor axis whereby high peripheral speed is obtainable. These large hubs are however objectionable since the space occupied thereby is practically useless. The present invention contemplates provision of means whereby the hub space may be utilized for power converting purposes, and with this object in view, comprises the provision of active vanes in the space ordinarily utilized by the hub in turbines having high specific speed characteristics.

A clear conception of an embodiment of the invention and of the manner of manufacturing rotors in accordance therewith, may be had by referring to the 'drawing ac compa-nying and forming a part of this spec* iiication in which like reference characters designate'the same or similar partsv in the various views.

F ig. l is a top View of an impro-ved compound rotor for a hydraulic turbine.

Fig. 2 is a central vertical section through one of the improved rotors and through a fragment of the fluid supply casing associated therewith.

The improved rotor specifically illustrated in the drawing, comprises in general, a hub 4: rigidly attached to an end of the main shaft 5 and having an annular inner series of overlapping vanes 2 rigidly attached thereto. The ends of the vanes 2 remote from the hub 4 are formed integral'with a shroud ring ll, this ring having an outer bolts, screws, or otherwise.

.anis of the rotor.

1926. VSerial H0.'113',907.

fthe shroud ring l1 by meansof fastenings lO-which -may yassume 4the form `of rivets, An annular Aouter .series of non-overlapping vanes are formed integral with the second ring 9 vand extend radially with respect to the central The vanes 3 have free outer ends cooperatingwith an internal'surface of the lower casing 7. andthe hub 4 hasan outwardly extending flange cooperating vwith an upper casing 6. The casin'gs 6, 7 provide an inlet passageS for conducting water inwardly through the spaces between the inner vanes 2, and :axially of the rotor through the spaces between the outer vanes 3, to a common draft tube associated lwith the discharge side ofthe rotor.

in constructing the compound rotor, comprising the hub vanes 2, shroud ring 11,

second ring 9, and'vanes 3, the second ring may thereafter be conveniently assembled and united with fastenings 10. By tapering the surfaces of coaction in the manner shown, the second ring 9 will be driven along the taper of the shroud ring 11 by the action of the water passing through the rotor.

It will be apparent that with this invention the high speed rotor vanes 3 may readily be disposed at any desired distance from the rotor axis without necessarily Wasting the space which would otherwise .be occupied by the rotor hub. l

The inner vanes 2 are designed with low speed characteristics and may therefore be brought relatively close to the turbine axis. The inner series also comprises a greater number of vanes 2 than the outer series, and the vanes 3 ofthe outer series are spaced apart circumferentially. Both series of vanes are vcapable of being so designed that the characteristics thereof will cause the two sets of vanes to cooperate to produce a single highly efficient compound turbine rotor. f i

It should be understood that it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact details of construction herein shown and described, for various modifications Within the scope'of the claims may occur to persons skilled in the art.

It is claimed and desired to secure by lLetters Patent: a

l. In combination. a'rotor structure coinprising; a central portion having an outer tapered surface and a series of outwardly extending vanes attached to a ring having an Yinner tapered surface coacting With said outer surface.

2. In a rotor7 a hub, a series-of vanes attach'ed directly to said hub, a shroud ring rigidly associated with saidl vanes reinote from said hub, a second ring detachably secured to said shroud ring, anda second series of vanes rigidly attached to said second ring.

3. In a rotor, a hub, a seriesoi'1 vanes attached directly to said hub, a shroud ring associated With said vanes and havingl a 'tapered surface, a second ring having a suriface'-engagingl said tapered shroud ring surface, and a second series oil? vanes rigidly attached to said second ring.

4. In a. rotor7 a hub. a series of vanes attached directly to said hub7 a shroud ring` associated with said vanes and having a tapered surface enlarging in diaineter in the direction of flow ot fluid thereaiong, a second ring having` a tapered surt'ace coacting With said shroud ring surface, and a second series of Vanes rigidly attached to said second ring.

5. In a rotor, 'a hub, a series of vanes attached directly to said hub, a shroud ring rigidly attached to the ends of said vanes remote from said hub7 a second ring detachably secured to said shroud ring, and a second series of vancs rigidly attached to said second ring, the vanes of said second series having lree outer ends.

6. In a rotor7 `a hub, a series ot' overlappingv vanes attached directly to said hub, a shroud'ringl formed .integral with the ends of said vanes reinote from said hub, said shroud ring; having a tapered surface enlai-ging` in diameter in the direction of flow ot iiuid therealong, a second ring detachably connected to said shroud ring` at said tapered sui-tace, and a second series of nonoverlapping vanes Yformed integral With said second ring, the vanes of said secon series having` free outer ends.

7. In a rotor, a hub, a series oi vanes attached to sai l hub and extending longitudinally oi" the axis ot' said rotor, a shroud ring rigidly associated with the ends of said vanes remote iiroin said hub, a second ring (.le'achably connected to said shroud ring7 and a second series of vanes rigidly associated with said second ring` and radiating' iroin said axis7 the vanes 'of said second series being 'fewer in number than those of said iirst mentioned series In testimony whereof7 the signature of the inventor is aflix'ed hereto.

WILLIAM WHITE. 

